TRUCK SLIDE IN CAMPER?

Don't do it! You are going to end up doing what I did. I was pulling a very light travel trailer, "La Casita" (can't remember what they weigh now but it was less than 2,000 pounds) with my wife's minivan, I ruined the transmission. We live in south Texas, (its flat down here) most of the trips were weekenders and only a few hours away. After a couple of years I had to replace the transmission even though the weight of the trailer was right under the limit of the GVWR.
Just because you can put a hitch on it for towing doesn't mean you can or should. People are re-gearing their 6 cyl taco's just because they have put bigger heavier tires and other equipment on them. Don't do it you will end up paying for a transmission sooner than later and a motor after that and other parts to follow.

 

He can do what he wants, but i recommend against approaching the limits of the 4400lb vehicle weight + 1250lb cargo/passenger capacity i believe=5650 GVWR??. however tongue weight is not the same. you can still tow a 3000lb trailer, and with the right hitch leveler, and possibly air bags as helpers it should do fine. the bed weight is the problem... not to mention your puny 4 banger will be taxed, as well as the trans will be very angry on hills. trailer will tax it, but not as badly.

 

Personally, I feel like going the travel trailer route has its pros and cons too. If your looking at going full time nomadic, it would suck to have to tow your living space around everywhere you go, to always have that trailer hitched up, unless you're okay with RV park hopping. On the other hand, you have a larger living space and can fit more of the comforts of home.

With a slide in camper like a travelite or kimbo, your truck becomes an RV, with the options to stealth camp or go places that a travel trailer cant. Yes, its gonna require suspension upgrades and will be taxing on the engine and trans, but I love the idea of transforming the truck into a small RV with the option to dismount and store if needed and not take up as much room as a mid size TT. yes, it's less livable space, but what you lose in living space, you gain in freedom and camping flexibility IMO.

And let me just add, the kimbo looks like a space age lunar pod and looks so totally badass. so pricey tho...

 

You could probably buy an RV for that price

 

Some additional food for thought - my previous setup was a 2015 ACLB 4cyl with a converted service module (probably about 850lbs built out and loaded) and that was definitely a sweet spot for the 4cylinder, handling was fine but the mountain passes were a 50mph at best. The only mods to the truck were bridgestone airbags and M+S tires mounted on FJ wheels. The pic below it's in winter garb - the roof top carrier houses the diesel heater.



Current setup is a '20 DCLB V6 with bags and KO2's carrying a Kimbo. Wonderful setup...handles wonderfully on the road and when off road it just needs to be taken into consideration that you've got some weight back there and it's not a desert racer/rock crawler. Most of the weight in the Kimbo is down below the truckbed sides - propane bottle, fridge, port-a-potty, mtn bikes...so unless you get into some alternating deep holes/rocks too fast, it does fine.